Tag Archives: North Bay Recovery Center

One of the greatest challenges when attending a North Bay Recovery Center is that rehab never really ends. When you have been addicted and want to recover, embracing a substance-free life is not easy. It is usually a process that includes some relapses. This may seem discouraging but there are ways for you to recognize risky situations and develop strategies to cope with them.

High-risk situations

The situations with the highest risk are those in which you often used your substance of choice before and will be highly tempted to use again. These situations are the most difficult to deal with.

Underlying reasons that can cause relapse

You are most at risk of relapse if you don’t follow the strategies you know will help you to recover but put yourself in high-risk situations instead. Some of your reasons for doing this may be:

The difficulty with processing emotions – this is often what led to the addiction in the first place. You use when you are frustrated, sad, angry, depressed, lonely, nervous, guilty or bored. You have to learn how to manage your emotions without needing a mood-altering substance. Emotional coping skills can be learned and therapy can help you to acquire these skills.

Feeling deprived – sometimes the cost of recovery just feels as though it’s too high. You may feel that everyone else is allowed to have fun except you and that the constant vigilance is a burden that’s too hard to bear. You have to find a way to put the reward of a lifetime of positive experiences ahead of the reward of temporary relief.

Testing your control – you may reach the point where you feel that you are in control and you can afford to let go ‘just a bit’. Unfortunately, this usually escalates and you relapse. You have to get to the point where you can resist that urge to test your self-control.

Managing your risk triggers

You are able to remove yourself from specific situations likely to lead to a risk of relapse if you recognize them immediately.

Being in a “using” situation – this may be inadvertent. You may be at a party where someone suddenly pulls out drugs. You need to leave and rudeness is not an issue here – it’s your life and sobriety that’s at stake.

Not having a support system – you need to have sober friends you can call on when you feel the urge to use. They are able to talk you through the situation and help you to stick to your goals. Attending support group meetings on a regular basis is a great key to maintaining sobriety. It is too difficult to go it alone.

Giving in to cravings – cravings take time to disappear and can reassert themselves at unexpected times. These cravings often don’t last for too long and you can deal with them with the right mental focus. It helps to plan ahead how to handle them. You may decide to exercise, for instance, rather than giving in to cravings.

According to a 2014 study conducted at Harvard, spirituality and brain activity are inextricably linked. The study found that mindfulness meditation could do far more than simply redirecting certain thought patterns. It actually changed the brain’s gray matter. Specifically, meditation resulted in “a major increase in gray matter density in the hippocampus, the part of the brain associated with self-awareness, compassion, and introspection.” Because addiction impacts the brain in profound ways, this new knowledge holds enormous implications for the effectiveness of certain spiritual techniques used in addiction recovery.

An Unlikely Antidote

In 2002, international social work professors and researchers, Kris Kissman and Lynn Maurer, published an article in the Journal of International Social Work entitled East meets West: Therapeutic aspects of spirituality in health, mental health and addiction recovery. In it, they share that spirituality – the moral framework for giving meaning to life – can be a sort of “antidote to depression and despair.” They go further to say that “spiritual healing promotes wholeness and well-being, lacking when life circumstances create dejection that can result in self-medication, or the use of psychoactive substances to combat dispirited feelings.” For anyone who has ever felt the unyielding grip of depression or addiction and is ready to encounter change, hope of such an antidote is worth exploring further. From scholars to clinicians, experts are taking a closer look at practices that have been commonly used in Eastern cultures, and finding ways to incorporate them into the addiction recovery tactics used in the West. In a 2014 New York Times article, Dr. Lisa Miller, Director of Clinical Psychology and of the Spirituality Mind Body Institute at Columbia University’s Teachers College, wrote that “a personal relationship with a higher power is the most powerful form of protection against the ‘mystic consciousness’ of substance abuse.” Addiction recovery programs offer a space in which one can explore this personal relationship alongside professionals who are familiar with the multifaceted nature of addiction. One by one, the most highly respected authorities in the field of medicine are getting on the spiritual bandwagon because of the unquestionable evidence that brain and spirit are connected. In 2008, Pew Research Center published the transcript of a discussion held among a panel of neuroscientists. They spoke about how brain-imaging technology is telling us more and more about how we are affected by matters of the soul – “In observing Buddhist monks as they meditate, Franciscan nuns as they pray and Pentecostals as they speak in tongues, Dr. Andrew Newberg, a radiologist at the University of Pennsylvania, has found that measurable brain activity matches up with the religious experiences described by worshippers.” Addiction recovery experts are utilizing this knowledge, and it is proving to be quite effective.

Spirituality vs. Religion

There’s a difference between spirituality and religion, so it’s important to distinguish between the two. Lance Dodes, M.D., Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, clarifies this difference – “…up to about 70 years ago, the terms spirituality and religion were almost synonymous. But since then, ‘spirituality’ has also been used to refer to a feeling or belief in the oneness between an individual and the universe, being in touch with one’s soul or inner self, and even simply a sense of personal well-being. None of these newer meanings has a specific reference to a deity or to religion.” Others who have attempted to define the terms have said religion relies more heavily on a collective agreement to adhere to certain rules, while spirituality is more focused on individual experiences and the unique meaning that s/he derives from those experiences.

Spirituality – A Lasting Road To Transcendence

Across disciplines, spirituality is being utilized as a dynamic tool that guides individuals toward an inner connectedness, awareness of oneself in relation to the universe, and a state of health and well-being. What we now know is that addiction is often the result of a person’s desire to have a sense of pleasure and well-being. One’s substance of choice offers a temporary and false sense of euphoria, or as Dr. Miller puts it, “a shortcut to transcendence.” A deeper understanding of this human need for transcendence is informing the development of mental and behavioral alternatives to patients. These alternatives hold hope for those who use substances to satisfy their craving for feelings of bliss and relief.

Spiritual Recovery – What To Expect

For those who choose to venture into the world of spiritual healing, some of the angst may be due to not knowing what to expect. Many of the methods involve what Kissman and Maurer refer to as “present-moment awareness.” By focusing on breathing, listening, and sharing stories, this “present-moment awareness” has the potential to correct distortions that exist in the thoughts of addicts, quieting the mind and opening the door to another way of coping with stress and worries. Here are some important things to remember:

Spirituality and Power – Addiction recovery is often about giving up reliance on personal will power, and surrendering to the power of the collective. This is why group processes are so effective. Spirituality takes this concept to another level by teaching patients how to not only relinquish power to control, but also how to “[join] with a higher power in order to increase personal power,” according to Kissman and Maurer.

Spirituality and Transformation – Successful and lasting addiction recovery involves personal transformation. Addicts who once identified themselves as weak or powerless learn how to reframe their identity. This change comes as a result of the metaphors and stories that are characteristic of many spiritual practices. The stories give voice to individual struggles, and provide the spiritual component of “interconnectedness between individuals” by “[breaking] the emotional isolation” that often fuels addiction.

Spirituality and Cognition – Our brains are fascinating, and have the incredible ability to focus on the past, the present, the future, or realms of thought that aren’t even real. Kissman and Maurer’s research reveals that “present-moment awareness… facilitates a cognitive focus on positive aspects of everyday life” which “clears the mind for self-nurturing and coping.” In a world where suffering and despair may threaten to take over, self-nurturing is a skill that can improve cognitive function. Spirituality can clarify the “cognitive distortions” that can trigger substance abuse.

Addressing The Skeptics

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has now been around for over 80 years. Since the program’s inception in 1935 in Akron, Ohio, scientists and AA enthusiasts have gone back and forth about the credibility and success rate of the program’s spiritually-based 12-step method. To be fair, collecting data and publishing the findings of AA groups in peer-reviewed medical journals has been quite difficult because of the expectation of anonymity that is the very basis of the groups’ operation. Even with this challenge, scientists have found ways to measure the success of the program. The numbers cannot be denied. When discussing the skepticism that academicians have directed toward the spiritual components of AA, Thomas McClellan, Ph.D., Director of the Treatment Research Institute at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, says that because of the data, “professionals with such attitudes owe AA an apology.” Robert Fiorentine, Ph.D., Director of Research Training at the UCLA Drug Abuse Research Center, agrees, saying that “recent evidence [indicates] the effectiveness of the Twelve Steps in assisting in recovery.” In 1998, the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism published a study called Project MATCH, which looked at 21 personal characteristics that could serve as reliable predictors of how well people would do when engaged in specific types of treatment. The findings of the Project MATCH study were fascinating. A total of 806 clients were randomly assigned to one of three different treatments. When total abstinence – fully giving up alcohol – was the desired outcome, the spiritually-based 12-step method held a “statistically significant advantage” over the other 2 treatments – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Motivational Enhancement Therapy.

Learn More

If you or someone you know is suffering from addiction, exploring spiritual treatment options might be worth a try. If your interest is piqued, give us a call today to find out more about how we can support you through your own transformation.

Health In Recovery

Healthy eating is important for all of us, but it’s especially crucial for recovering addicts who are building up their mental and physical energy. The right nutrients aid in healing the body and producing more feel-good chemicals in the brain. But not all foods are treated equal. So how can you choose a great tasting meal that provides you with the right nutrients? You’re in luck! We have a delicious and nutritious meal to help you out. This tasty Garlic Salmon and Asparagus in Foil recipe is brought to you by Cooking Classy. It’s full of flavor, simple to prepare and chock full of essential nutrients. It’s also a quick and easy clean up. Salmon alone is an excellent source of vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin B6 and selenium. It also contains omega-3 fatty acids (which have been shown to improve brain function) and protein. Asparagus is another winner packed with fiber, folate and vitamins A, C, E and K. Top the recipe off with fresh herbs and lemon, and you’re fueling the body with the right balance of nutrients. Let’s get started.

Garlic Salmon And Asparagus In Foil

Ingredients:

4 (6 oz) skinless salmon fillets

1 lb asparagus, tough ends trimmed

2 1/2 Tbsp olive oil

2 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 lemon thinly sliced

Fresh dill sprigs, or chopped fresh thyme, rosemary or parsley

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cut four sheets of aluminum foil into separate pieces that are around 14-inches in length.

Divide the asparagus up into four separate portions and place them onto the foil. You should have about 8 spears for each one.

In a small bowl, mix together the oil and garlic. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of the mixture onto the asparagus. Sprinkle it with salt and pepper.

Rinse the salmon fillets. Season the bottom of each fillet with salt and pepper. Then place the fillets onto the asparagus.

Drizzle 1 teaspoon of the mixture of oil and garlic onto each salmon fillet. Season them with salt and pepper to your liking.

To finish off your dish, top the salmon and asparagus with either dill sprigs or fresh herbs and lemon slices.

Fold the foil over the salmon and asparagus and place them onto a baking sheet.

Cook the salmon for 25-30 minutes or until heated through.

Unwrap the salmon and serve it with a healthy side such as quinoa or brown rice. Enjoy!

Personalized Addiction Treatment In San Jose

Summit Estate Recovery Center provides personalized addiction treatment options in the San Jose area for those struggling with drug or alcohol. We will design a custom treatment regimen that caters to you or your loved one’s individual needs and goals. As part of our nutrition program, we also provide delicious and healthy gourmet cuisine for our clients. Our caring and professional staff will treat you with the care and compassion you deserve. Call us now.

The emotionally demanding process of recovery is not easy by anyone’s standards. The initial phases of sobriety are particularly difficult, and even physically and emotionally exhausting. Yet, in the early phase of recovery, individuals who are battling drug or alcohol addiction are often surprised that they quickly begin to rediscover hope and a renewed appreciation for life.

In rehab, you will often hear people say that you can start your day over at any time. In recovery, you have the opportunity to start your life over. Whether you’ve lived with addiction for months, years or decades, today is truly the first day of the rest of your life – your sober life! This is why many addicts will tell you that their worst day sober is better than their best day using.

Things To Be Thankful For When Recovering From Addiction

While every individual in recovery will have their own particular reasons to be thankful, the following are some of the most typical that you’ll hear from those who are on their journey of recovery.

1. Better Health

Drugs and alcohol can wreak havoc on your physical health. From causing sleep disturbances and digestion problems to damaging your skin and eventually your internal organs, addiction is a one way ticket to health problems. By eliminating the substance from your system, you’ll begin to heal yourself. In fact, feeling and looking better are some of the earliest benefits of sobriety.

2. Clarity

Drugs and alcohol put your brain in a fog that can make it hard to concentrate, connect with others and experience feelings. Many people who enter recovery are amazed to experience a renewed ability to comprehend ideas and feel the gamut of emotions that are part of a healthy, fully-functioning life.

3. New Friends

While it’s important to stay connected with existing friends who support you in your recovery, you’ll most likely meet new individuals in meetings and support groups. Often, these will be the friends who you celebrate milestones and victories with as you achieve long-term sobriety.

4. Better Family Relationships

Addiction can be devastating on a family. Relationship can be damaged, and trust is lost. With each day of sobriety, you’ll be able to regain trust and participate fully in the lives of those who mean the most to you.

5. Greater Productivity

Work, school, relationships, exercise, hobbies and more will improve when you’re free from addition. It can feel like you have more hours in the day, and, in a sense, you do! Make the most of your reclaimed time, and relish in the pleasure of making the most of your life!

Get On The Road To Gratitude

Starting on the journey of recovery can seem overwhelming. Yet, it begins with taking that first step of asking for help. If you or a loved one is struggling with addiction, call now to speak with one of our team members. We will treat you with the respect and compassion that you deserve.

Under the best of circumstances, getting and staying sober is incredibly challenging. While there is the initial challenge of detoxification and overcoming the minute-by-minute urge to drink or use drugs, ongoing recovery is far more complex. Those who have successfully achieved long-term sobriety know that healing must take place in the body as well as the mind and the soul.

The vast majority of addiction treatment professionals agree that successful recovery requires a holistic approach that is focused on total wellness and finding a better way of living. At Summit Estate, we offer a variety of holistic addiction treatment options to complement our inpatient treatment programs.

Understanding Holistic Treatment

Recovery is a tremendous opportunity to improve your well-being on all fronts. Holistic treatments support this by helping you to regain proper balance in your life. Our wellness amenities are designed specifically to support you on the road to recovery and to enable you to treat your whole being and not just your addiction.

Holistic Therapies We Offer For Recovery

For example, our yoga in holistic addiction treatment can help you gain a deeper level of self-awareness and create a sense of calm that may prevent a return to addictive behaviors. Through postures and breathing techniques, digestion, circulation, and breathing can improve. Often, this holistic treatment becomes a personal daily practice that individuals enjoy on an ongoing basis.

We also offer inpatient holistic massage which can be particularly beneficial for reducing stress and addressing the physical and emotional aspects of recovery. Other options include acupuncture, reflexology, and nutritional counseling which you can choose while staying at Summit Estate. Clients also gain access to personal training to strengthen the body and support healthy recovery.

It’s not uncommon for those in recovery to embrace a single holistic treatment and find that it provides them strength to continue on their path to recovery. Others will discover that a combination of treatments offers them the best chance for staying sober. Either way, holistic treatments deliver tremendous benefits to those who take advantage of them.

Although recovery is never easy, it can be made more comfortable when it is integrated with holistic treatments. As well, these wellness tools can become the start of a healthier, more positive way of living that helps support ongoing recovery and a better way of living.

To Reawaken & Discover How Our Holistic Treatment Can Help Your Or A Loved One – Call Us Now!

If you have PPO coverage from a major insurance provider, your treatment may be covered. We are unable to accept Medi-Cal, Medicare, Medicaid, Tricare, Kaiser, Healthnet or Humana at this time.

Summit Estate Recovery Center is accredited through the Joint Commission. This organization seeks to enhance the lives of the persons served in healthcare settings through a consultative accreditation process emphasizing quality, value and optimal outcomes of services.

Organizations that earn the Gold Seal of Approval™ have met or exceeded The Joint Commission’s rigorous performance standards to obtain this distinctive and internationally recognized accreditation. Learn more about this accreditation here.